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Background: The aim of this study was to highlight major predictors of the frequency of sickness absence in a group of workers directly involved in customer service.Material and Methods: The study was carried out on a random sample of 229 women employed as assistants and clerks in post offices. The survey was based on the Subjective Work, Health Status and Life Style Characteristics Questionnaire, and sickness absence data for the years 2004-2006.Results: The negative binominal regression model of sickness absence risk revealed the following significant predictors of short-term absence spells (1-29 days): 1) marital status, sickness absence risk for single women was (rate ratio (RR)) = 1.56 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-2.39) vs. married women; 2) post offices employing 7 workers had a rate ratio of sickness absence of 1.6 (95% CI: 1.04-2.42); 13-25 workers - RR = 2.03 (95% CI: 1.41-2.93); > 25 workers - RR = 1.82 (95% CI: 1.15-2.88) compared with an average number of 8-12 workers; 3) shift work, RR = 1.57 (95% CI: 1.14-2.14); 4) breaks from work - the risk of absence in the case of any breaks amounted to RR = 1.5 (95% CI: 1.07-2.07) in comparison with the statutory breaks; 5) self-rated health reported as moderate relative to good health, RR = 1.71 (95% CI: 1.26-2.32); and 6) occurrence of respiratory diseases resulted in the risk of RR = 1.51 (95% CI: 1.08-2.08). The Poisson regression model of long-term sickness absence spells (≥ 30 days) revealed the following significant predictors: 1) number of clients per shift: 51-100 clients, RR = 3.62 (95% CI: 1.07-22.6) compared with a lower number of clients; 2) self-rated health, assessed as moderate, RR = 1.97 (95% CI: 1.06-3.78) and 3) household chores performed for at least 4 h a day, RR = 0.4 (95% CI: 0.18-0.79).Conclusions: Association between sickness absence and workload as well as work organization indicates directions of corrective actions, which could reduce the scale of the problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Estimating the prevalence of hardcore smoking and identifying linked factors is fundamental to improve planning and implementation of effective tobacco control measures. Given the paucity of data on that topic, we aimed to assess the prevalence of and factors associated with hardcore smoking in Poland. Methods We used data from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS). GATS is a representative, cross-sectional, household based survey conducted in Poland between 2009 and 2010. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to explore the associations of socio-demographic and smoking related variables with hardcore smoking among daily smokers. Results The prevalence of hardcore smoking was 10.0 % (13.0 % among men and 7.3 % among women) in the whole population of Poland at age 26 years and above. Hardcore smokers constitute 39.9 % (41.6 % among men and 37.7 % among women) of all daily smokers in analyzed age frame. Being older, having started smoking at earlier ages, living in large cities (in women only), being less aware of negative health effects of smoking, having less restrictions on smoking at home was associated with higher risk of being hardcore smoker. Educational attainment and economic activity were not associated with hardcore smoking among daily smokers. Conclusions High prevalence of hardcore smokers may be a grand challenge for curbing noncommunicable diseases epidemic in Poland. Our findings should urge policy makers to consider hardcore smoking issues while planning and implementing tobacco control policies. Prevention of smoking uptake, education programs, and strengthening cessation services appeared to be the top priorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: In many countries, reducing inequalities in health and mortality has become a significant problem. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between employment status and self rated heath in study population. Material and Methods: The study was performed in the randomly selected population of individuals aged 25--64 years. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals as well as to control the effects of employment status and self rated health. Results: The multifactorial logistic regression analysis indicates that, in men and women, self rated health was associated with employment status. Among unemployed men, the risk of low self health assessment was over 3 times higher than in the employed ones (adjusted OR = 3.34; 95% Cl: 1.96--11.58). Among unemployed women, the risk of low self health assessment was nearly 1.5 times higher than among the employed (adjusted OR = 1.35; 95% Cl: 1.06--3.02). Conclusions: Self health assessment is related to a number of factors, including unemployment, low education or income, that increase the risk of poor health. These results emphasise the potential health consequences of unemployment and material circumstances in Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: In many countries around the world, negative changes in lifestyles are observed. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of selected lifestyle indicators on work ability among professionally active individuals.Materials and Methods: The study was performed in the randomly selected group of full-time employees (94 men and 93 women) living in the city of Lódź. Work ability was measured with the work ability index and lifestyle characteristic was assessed with the healthy lifestyle index. We analyzed four lifestyle indicators: non-smoking, healthy weight, fiber intake per day, and regular physical activity. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals to control the effects of lifestyle and work ability.Results: The analysis of lifestyle index indicated that 27.7, 30.9, 27.7 and 11.7% of men and 15.1, 21.5, 35.5 and 26.9% of women scored 0, 1, 2, 3 points, respectively. Only 2.1% of men and 1.1% of women met the criteria for the healthy lifestyle (score 4). Work ability was excellent, good and moderate in 38.3, 46.8 and 14.9% of men, and in 39.8, 14.9 and 19.3% of women, respectively. Poor work ability was found in 9.7% women. Work ability was strongly associated with lifestyle in both men and women. Among men with index score = 0, the risk of moderate work ability was nearly seven times higher than in men whose lifestyle index score exceeded 1 or more points (OR = 6.67; 95% CI: 1.94-22.90). Among women with lifestyle index score = 0, the risk of moderate or lower work ability was also highly elevated as compared to those with lifestyle index = 1 or higher (OR = 14.44; 95% CI: 3.53-59.04).Conclusions: Prophylactic schedules associated with the improvement of lifestyles should be addressed to all adults. Future programs aimed at increasing work ability should consider work- and lifestyle-related factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Smoking initiation is considered the fundamental behaviour that determines the future health burden of tobacco smoking in a society. The aim of the study was to evaluate the socio-demographic factors associated with initiation of regular smoking among adults.Methods: The data source was the 2011 Global Adult Tobacco Survey Romania (GATS), which is a cross-sectional, nationally representative study. Multivariate logistic regression model was applied for relevant analysis.Results: Among males, the regular smoking initiation rate was significantly higher compared to females (52.4% vs. 18.5%; p<0.001). Mean age of smoking initiation was lower in men compared to women (18.4±4.8 vs. 21.5±6.8; p<0.001). Age in men, awareness of environmental tobacco smoke consequences and place of living for women as well as educational attainment and employment status in both genders were associated with ever regular smoking. Moreover, cohabitation with a smoker was associated with greater odds for initiating smoking among both genders.Conclusions: GATS revealed a significant but diverse role of socioeconomic factors in initiation of regular smoking among adult Romanians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]